Breadcrumb
Earn a Certificate in Four Courses (12 Credits)
The Public, Non-Profit & Community Leadership Certificate is a valuable academic credential that reflects the participant's scholarly achievement in courses related to public policy, administration, local politics and/or community leadership. You can earn a certificate while simultaneously seeking a master's or bachelor's degree, or you can pursue it as a stand-alone certificate without a degree. All graduates of the New Directions applied MA program will earn this certificate. Regardless of your path, the courses you take will develop your knowledge, skills and political acumen to lead more effectively within your organization, jurisdiction, or community.
What's the Course Format?
This certificate is administered by the Center for New Directions in Politics and Policy. The required course and some electives will be delivered through the New Directions weekend intensive (three weekend), in-person format taught by practitioners. One to two remote courses are offered per year. Other electives may be offered by Political Science faculty through traditional, weekly courses offered in-person or remotely over the course of a full term. An independent study or internship can also be applied toward this certificate (an internship is required for the undergraduate certificate).
Curious about graduate school but not sure?
A certificate is an excellent way to explore whether you'd like to pursue a full Master's degree. For students who enroll as non-degree seeking, up to all 12 of your non-degree certificate credits could be transferred into a full Political Science or applied Political Science New Directions Master's Degree program, upon departmental approval and acceptance into the graduate program.
Requirements
Graduate Pre-requisites and Requirements
-
BA degree from an accredited college or university (or currently enrolled in the Political Science 4+1 program)
-
Complete 4 courses (12 credits)
-
One required course: PSCI 5914 Community Organizing and Community Development
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Three electives. See the CU Denver Catalog page for the courses that may count toward this certificate. Timely "Topics" courses may also apply.
-
Undergraduate Pre-requisites and Requirements
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High school degree from an accredited high school
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Complete 3 courses + 1 internship (12 credits)
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One required course: PSCI 4914 Community Organizing and Community Development
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One internship. (This requirement can be waived for students working in a relevant field.)
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Two electives. See the CU Denver catalog page for courses that count toward this certificate. Timely "Topics" courses may also apply.
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PNCL Certificate's Learning Outcomes
Public, Non-Profit and Community Graduate Leadership Certificate
Outcomes Assessment Plan
Updated November 2024 Based on Forthcoming Fall 2025 Catalog Requirements
Certificate’s Educational Goals: This credit-bearing graduate certificate engages students in a locally focused program that spans state or local government, community organizing and community development. The curriculum is anchored in practices of local civic engagement and deepening understanding of politics and the intersections and impacts of local government decisions and community movements for traditionally marginalized communities. Certificate courses provide real-life case studies and build skills for students currently engaged in or seeking careers in local government or community-based organizations, as well as for students who simply seek to be more actively engaged as local leaders. Students may pursue this certificate while earning a degree in Political Science or another field to enhance careers in local government, social work, sociology, education, public elected office, policy analysis, research, as a program director or executive director or more. Students also may pursue this certificate without a degree.
Certificate Learning Outcomes: Graduates of the Public, Non-Profit and Community Leadership Certificate program will:
- Analyze structural roots of community problems and sources of community strength
- Critique public, non-profit and community organizing and/or leadership strategies, depending on issue or community context
- Apply critical thinking skills to solve collective problems in a manner that improves the public good
- For students without relevant work experience, opportunities to deepen involvement with diverse communities and real-world challenges through an internship that allows students to reflect on the relationship between theory, political practice and potential career paths.
- Effectively communicate findings and recommendations to specific audiences
Curriculum and Assessment Map: The Public, Non-Profit and Community Leadership certificate requires students to complete four graduate-level courses. One courses is required: PSCI 5914 (Community Organizing and Development). Three courses are electives and must be drawn from the following list:
| Course Number | Course Title |
|
PSCI 5008 |
Topics Courses (When Relevant and Approved by Program Advisor) |
|
PSCI 5009 |
Politics of the Budgetary Process |
|
PSCI 5024 |
State Politics: Focus on Colorado |
|
PSCI 5025 |
Local Governance and Globalization |
|
PSCI 5075 |
Gentrification and Social Equity |
|
PSCI 5084 |
Local Government and Administration |
|
PSCI 5094 |
Urban Politics, Planning and Development |
|
PSCI 5206 |
Social Movements, Democracy and Global Politics |
|
PSCI 5265 |
Social Justice and Globalization |
|
PSCI 5274 |
Conflict Resolution and Public Consent Building |
|
PSCI 5414 |
Non-Profits and Social Change |
|
PSCI 5424 |
The Social Economy and Sustainable Development |
|
PSCI 5434 |
The Cooperative Movement: Politics and Policy |
|
PSCI 5548 |
Labor Law and Collective Bargaining |
|
PSCI 5840 |
Independent Study (When Relevant and Approved by Program Advisor) |
|
PSCI 5939 |
Individually Structured Internship |
The table below maps the learning objectives to the required course, and provides examples of typical assessments with respect to each learning objective.
|
Learning Objective |
PSCI 5914 |
|---|---|
|
Analyze Structural Roots of Community Problems and Strengths |
Short Papers & Final Project |
|
Critique Public, Non-Profit and Community Leadership Strategies |
Class Papers & Final Project |
|
Apply Critical Thinking Skills to Improve Public Good |
Possible: Final Community- Based Action Research Project |
|
Deepen Involvement with Diverse Communities |
Possible: Final Community- Based Action Research Project |
|
Effectively Communicate Findings |
Class Papers and Oral Presentation OR Community-Based Presentation |
Assessment Data Collection and Analysis: Assessment for each learning objective will be undertaken at the time of conclusion for any of the required courses, using the rubrics below. Assessments will be conducted by reviewing relevant course records, and in consultation with relevant instructors. Assessment of achievement of learning outcomes for all students in the course will be conducted, providing evidence of the extent to which the opportunity to master learning objectives was provided to certificate student who might have been in the courses.
Learning Outcome 1: Analyze structural roots of community problems and sources of community strength
|
Category |
Percentage of Students |
Rubric |
|
Exceeds Expectations |
|
Demonstrates a broad and sophisticated understanding of the structural roots of community problems and sources of community strength. Shows strong ability to link local dynamics to broader political, economic, historic, cultural or global forces that shape local life. |
|
Meets Expectations |
|
Demonstrates a solid understanding of the structural roots of community problems and sources of community strength. Shows some ability to link local dynamics to broader political, economic, historic, cultural or global forces that shape local life—but may demonstrate lack of depth in grasping either broader structural forces or in describing local manifestations. |
|
Below Expectations |
|
Demonstrates a limited understanding of the structural roots of community problems and sources of community strength. Shows only limited ability to link local dynamics to broader political, economic, historic, cultural or global forces that shape local life. |
Learning Outcome 2. Critique public, non-profit and community organizing and/or leadership strategies, depending on issue or community context.
|
Category |
Percentage of Students |
Rubric |
|---|---|---|
|
Exceeds Expectations |
|
Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of effective public, non-profit and community organizing and/or leadership strategies, depending on issue or community context. In field work, student demonstrates an ability to identify relevant challenges to effective leadership in a given context, and to identify/evaluate promising responses to those leadership challenges. |
|
Meets Expectations |
|
Demonstrates a solid understanding of different public, non-profit and community organizing and/or leadership strategies, depending on issue or community context. In field work, student might struggle to identify/evaluate multiple promising responses to specific leadership challenges in a given context. |
|
Below Expectations |
|
Demonstrates a limited understanding of different public, non-profit and community organizing and/or leadership strategies, depending on issue or community context. In field work, Student struggles to identify a promising response to specific leadership challenge in a given context. |
Learning Outcome 3: Apply Critical Thinking Skills to Improve Public Good
|
Category |
Percentage of Students |
Rubric |
|---|---|---|
|
Exceeds Expectations |
|
Community-based action research project and/or student’s performance in field internship demonstrates nuanced and sophisticated understanding of specific community challenges/opportunities, and impressively creative approach to addressing those challenges/opportunities. |
|
Meets Expectations |
|
Community-based action research project and/or student’s performance in field internship demonstrates solid understanding of specific community challenges/opportunities, and student demonstrates diligence and commitment in addressing those challenges/opportunities. |
|
Below Expectations |
|
Community-based action research project and/or student’s performance in field internship demonstrates only rudimentary understanding of specific community challenges/opportunities, and/or student lacks diligence and commitment in addressing those challenges/opportunities. |
Learning Outcome 4: For students without relevant work experience, opportunities to deepen involvement with diverse communities and real-world challenges through an internship that allows students to reflect on the relationship between theory, political practice and potential career paths.
|
Category |
Percentage of Students |
Rubric |
|---|---|---|
|
Exceeds Expectations |
|
Student demonstrates serious commitment to building connections between university resources and community needs and interests and a creative approach to the practical application of academic skills. |
|
Meets Expectations |
|
Student participates in relevant university-community partnership opportunities, but may not demonstrate a unique personal commitment to this work. Student is capable, but does not stand out, in pursuing a practical application of their academic skills. |
|
Below Expectations |
|
Student is disinterested or undependable in completing relevant university-community partnership opportunities. Student demonstrates rudimentary effort to pursuing a practical application of their academic skills. |
Learning Outcome 5: Effectively communicate findings and recommendations to specific audiences
|
Category |
Percentage |
Rubric |
|---|---|---|
|
Exceeds Expectations |
|
Demonstrates a sophisticated ability to conceive of and execute well-organized, polished, and exceptionally effective written and oral presentations. Presentations are mostly free of grammar and style errors, demonstrate evidence of careful review and practice before submission or delivery, and are properly aimed at the audience in question for any given presentation. |
|
Meets Expectations |
|
Demonstrates a solid ability to conceive of and execute organized, polished, and effective written and oral presentations. Presentations are generally free of grammar and style errors, but there may be enough errors to undermine the professional appearance of the product. Though final product is solid, there is evidence that more careful review and practice of final product before submission/presentation would have substantially improved product. Though well-written or delivered, class products may not be well-tailored to the audience in question (whether academic, professional, or community-based). |
|
Below Expectations |
|
Struggles to conceive or execute organized and polished presentations, whether written or oral. Presentations may suffer from multiple grammar and style errors. Final products may lack evidence of careful review or practice before submission/delivery. Class products may not be poorly tailored to the audience in question (whether academic, professional, or community-based). |
Schedule for Learning Outcomes Assessment
Achievement of learning outcomes for each student will be assessed at the time of each course’s conclusion. Data will be reported upon the completion of the certificate by five or more students. Managing the assessment process will be the responsibility of the department certificate coordinator and/or Department Chair.
Public, Non-Profit and Community Undergraduate Leadership Certificate
Outcomes Assessment Plan
Updated November 2024 Based on Forthcoming Fall 2025 Catalog Requirements
Certificate’s Educational Goals: This credit-bearing undergraduate certificate engages students in a focused curriculum in the community organizing and development field, including field placements in internships with local community partners. The program curriculum is anchored around the study and practice of local civic engagement, especially in traditionally marginalized communities. We provide critical education and effective skills-based training for students seeking careers in community organizing and development, as well as for students seeking more active citizenship and civic engagement. This program contributes to a workforce and community of change agents—activists, organizers, social workers, leaders, researchers, and program directors—to work for change in low-income and otherwise marginalized communities.
Certificate Learning Outcomes: Graduates of the Public, Non-Profit and Community Leadership Certificate program will:
- Analyze structural roots of community problems and sources of community strength
- Critique public, non-profit and community organizing and/or leadership strategies, depending on issue or community context
- Apply critical thinking skills to solve collective problems in a manner that improves the public good
- Deepen involvement with diverse communities and real-world challenges (including internships and other experiential learning opportunities), allowing students to reflect on the relationship between theory, political practice and potential career paths.
Curriculum and Assessment Map: The Public, Non-Profit and Community Leadership certificate requires students to complete four undergraduate courses. Two courses are required: PSCI 4914 (Community Organizing and Development) and an experiential learning course (from among three course options). Two courses are electives, and must be drawn from the following list:
| Course Number | Course Title |
| PSCI 3035 | Political Movements: Race and Gender |
| PSCI 3064 | Power and Empowerment in the United States |
| PSCI 4002 | Topics Courses (When Relevant and Approved by Program Advisor) |
| PSCI 4009 | Politics of the Budgetary Process |
| PSCI 4024 | State Politics: Focus on Colorado |
| PSCI 4025 | Local Governance and Globalization |
| PSCI 4074 | Urban Politics, Planning and Development |
| PSCI 4075 | Gentrification and Social Equity |
| PSCI 4084 | Local Government and Administration |
| PSCI 4124 | Denver Politics |
| PSCI 4206 | Social Movements, Democracy and Global Politics |
| PSCI 4207 | Theories of Social and Political Change |
| PSCI 4248 | Gender, Globalization and Development |
| PSCI 4265 | Social Justice and Globalization |
| PSCI 4274 | Conflict Resolution and Public Consent Building |
| PSCI 4414 | Non-Profits and Social Change |
| PSCI 4535 | Labor and Working Class Politics |
| PSCI 4555 | International Women’s Resistance |
| PSCI 4840 | Independent Study (When Relevant and Approved by Program Advisor) |
| PSCI 5424 | The Social Economy and Sustainable Development |
| PSCI 5434 | The Cooperative Movement: Politics and Policy |
| PSCI 5548 | Labor Law and Collective Bargaining |
Assessment of learning objectives is done upon completion of required courses that all certificate students must complete. The table below maps the learning objectives to required courses, and provides examples of typical assessments for each course with respect to each learning objective.
|
Learning Objective |
PSCI 4914 |
Experiential Learning Course |
|---|---|---|
|
Analyze Structural Roots of Community Problems and Strengths |
Short Papers & Final Project |
|
|
Critique Public, Non-Profit and Community Organizing and Leadership Strategies |
Class Papers & Final Project |
Regular Journal Entries and Final Field Analysis |
|
Apply Critical Thinking Skills to Improve Public Good |
Possible: Final Community- Based Action Research Project |
Field Supervisor’s Evaluation |
|
Deepen Involvement with Diverse Communities |
Possible: Final Community- Based Action Research Project |
Field Supervisor’s Evaluation |
Assessment Data Collection and Analysis: Assessment for each learning objective will be undertaken at the time of conclusion for any of the required courses, using the rubrics below. Assessments will be conducted by reviewing relevant course records, and in consultation with relevant instructors. Assessment of achievement of learning outcomes for all students in the course will be conducted, providing evidence of the extent to which the opportunity to master learning objectives was provided to certificate student who might have been in the courses.
Learning Outcome 1: Analyze structural roots of community problems and sources of community strength
|
Category |
Percentage of Students |
Rubric |
|
Exceeds Expectations |
|
Demonstrates a broad and sophisticated understanding of the structural roots of community problems and sources of community strength. Shows strong ability to link local dynamics to broader political, economic, historic, cultural or global forces that shape local life. |
|
Meets Expectations |
|
Demonstrates a solid understanding of the structural roots of community problems and sources of community strength. Shows some ability to link local dynamics to broader political, economic, historic, cultural or global forces that shape local life—but may demonstrate lack of depth in grasping either broader structural forces or in describing local manifestations. |
|
Below Expectations |
|
Demonstrates a limited understanding of the structural roots of community problems and sources of community strength. Shows only limited ability to link local dynamics to broader political, economic, historic, cultural or global forces that shape local life. |
Learning Outcome 2. Critique public, non-profit and community organizing and/or leadership strategies, depending on issue or community context.
|
Category |
Percentage of Students |
Rubric |
|---|---|---|
|
Exceeds Expectations |
|
Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of effective public, non-profit and community organizing and/or leadership strategies, depending on issue or community context. In field work, student demonstrates an ability to identify relevant challenges to effective leadership in a given context, and to identify/evaluate promising responses to those leadership challenges. |
|
Meets Expectations |
|
Demonstrates a solid understanding of different public, non-profit and community organizing and/or leadership strategies, depending on issue or community context. In field work, student might struggle to identify/evaluate multiple promising responses to specific leadership challenges in a given context. |
|
Below Expectations |
|
Demonstrates a limited understanding of different public, non-profit and community organizing and/or leadership strategies, depending on issue or community context. In field work, Student struggles to identify a promising response to specific leadership challenge in a given context. |
Learning Outcome 3: Apply Critical Thinking Skills to Improve Public Good
|
Category |
Percentage of Students |
Rubric |
|---|---|---|
|
Exceeds Expectations |
|
Community-based action research project and/or student’s performance in field internship demonstrates nuanced and sophisticated understanding of specific community challenges/opportunities, and impressively creative approach to addressing those challenges/opportunities. |
|
Meets Expectations |
|
Community-based action research project and/or student’s performance in field internship demonstrates solid understanding of specific community challenges/opportunities, and student demonstrates diligence and commitment in addressing those challenges/opportunities. |
|
Below Expectations |
|
Community-based action research project and/or student’s performance in field internship demonstrates only rudimentary understanding of specific community challenges/opportunities, and/or student lacks diligence and commitment in addressing those challenges/opportunities. |
Learning Outcome 4: Deepen involvement with diverse communities and real-world challenges (including internships and other experiential learning opportunities), allowing students to reflect on the relationship between theory, political practice and potential career paths.
|
Category |
Percentage of Students |
Rubric |
|---|---|---|
|
Exceeds Expectations |
|
Student demonstrates serious commitment to building connections between university resources and community needs and interests and a creative approach to the practical application of academic skills. |
|
Meets Expectations |
|
Student participates in relevant university-community partnership opportunities, but may not demonstrate a unique personal commitment to this work. Student is capable, but does not stand out, in pursuing a practical application of their academic skills. |
|
Below Expectations |
|
Student is disinterested or undependable in completing relevant university-community partnership opportunities. Student demonstrates rudimentary effort to pursuing a practical application of their academic skills. |
Schedule for Learning Outcomes Assessment
Achievement of learning outcomes for each student will be assessed at the time of each course’s conclusion. Data will be reported upon the completion of the certificate by five or more students. Managing the assessment process will be the responsibility of the department certificate coordinator and/or Department Chair.
Directions for Applying to a New Directions Certificate Program
If you're already seeking a degree or planning to apply to a full degree program: No separate application is required to also pursue a certificate. Please contact us at NewDirections@ucdenver.edu to declare and for advising.
Applicants who are not already enrolled or intending to enroll as a full degree-seeking student: You must submit a "non-degree" university application via the University of Colorado Denver application page:
- Graduate non-degree applicants: For students with an undergraduate degree wishing to earn a 12-credit graduate certificate without seeking a degree. Select "Continuing and Professional Education" when you see the pop-up menu.
- Undergraduate non-degree applicants: For students wishing to earn a 12-credit certificate without seeking a degree.
Non-degree certificate applicants must submit the following:
- Unofficial transcript from the institution of your highest degree
- Personal statement
No references are required. Applicants are encouraged to submit proof of Colorado residency to ensure in-state tuition in case the student chooses to take main-department courses.